Google's 'Most Searched For' University Rankings Revealed With A Surprisingly Result

The Huffington Post UK

Google has revealed the most popular searches for universities from people across the globe - and the results were pretty unexpected.

Compared to the typical university ranking system highlighting the 'best of the best' when it comes to higher education, the new Google ranking system gives us an indication of the universities that most people (including potential students) are searching for - as well as why this could be.

The number one search? University of Phoenix, a US-based university with a plethora of online courses to choose from.

The new rankings show that there's a global interest in attending universities that can cater to those who want to learn online, rather than on campus.

In third place sits the popular Open University, which also happens to be the top ranking uni in Europe on Google's list.

The Open University prides itself on opening doors for all when it comes to higher education - often through online learning. This is a method which clearly attracts Google 'searchers'.

The top 20 most searched universities by Google users worldwide (2014) include:

1. University of Phoenix

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

3. Open University

4. University of Calicut

5. University of California, Los Angeles

6. Anna University

7. Stanford University

8. London School of Economics

9. Columbia University

10. New York University

11. University of Mumbai

12. University College London

13. University of Oxford

14. Florida State University

15. Harvard University

16. University of Cambridge

17. Liberty University

18. University of Rajasthan

19. University of Michigan

20. Annamalai University

Following on from the new research, Google's analysis team commented that "the internet has become a key marketplace for universities to reach potential students."

Currently, 40% of searches worldwide for UK universities are from outside of the UK, which has helped to place five of our universities in Google's top 20.

However a recent report on search data by Google shows just how quickly this can change.

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In 2011, the most searched-for universities in the UK, apart from the Open University, were traditional campus-based institutions including Oxford and Cambridge. By 2014, this had changed completely with Oxford and Cambridge being overtaken by other establishments that are more focused on providing online courses.

"The growth that they've experienced has been phenomenal," says the Google analysis. "Higher education institutions must decide whether to embrace and adapt or risk getting left behind."

Would you opt for an online course over a traditional, on-campus study programme? Comment below.